Richard D. Panza, Esq.

Litigation • Environmental Law • Personal Injury • Labor & Employment Relations • Municipal & Public Law • Professional Practices & Health Care

Mr. Panza is WHP’s Chief Financial Officer, a member of the Firm’s Executive Committee, head of the Firm’s Litigation Practice, and serves as Vice Chairperson and Treasurer of the Firm’s Board of Directors. With over 35 years of litigation law experience, Mr. Panza specializes in business litigation with an emphasis on commercial and environmental law. He has appeared before the Ohio Supreme Court for argument eight times, and before the United States Supreme Court to argue the seminal libel case on constitutionally protected opinion, Milkovich v. The Lorain Journal Co.

Martindale-Hubbell has awarded Mr. Panza an AV rating for preeminent legal ability and having the highest ethical standards. He is recognized as an Ohio Super Lawyer, and has numerous reported cases.

Mr. Panza is a member of various professional bar associations. He serves on the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees for the Cleveland Legal Aid Society. Mr. Panza is a frequent speaker, presenter, and teacher at legal seminars involving issues such as law firm business management and commercial business issues. Additionally, Mr. Panza conducts libel seminars for reporters and newspapers.

Practice Focus:
Business Litigation
Libel Defense

Bar Admissions:
1973 State of Ohio
1983 State of Florida
1985 State of Colorado (INACTIVE)
1986 State of New York

Education:
1970 State University of New York at Albany (B.A.)
1973 Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (J.D.)

Professional & Civic Affiliations:
The Cleveland Legal Aid Society (Board of Trustees)
Ninth Appellate District of the Ohio State Bar Association (Member, Pro Bono Committee)